Myths are traditional stories that attempt to explain the origin of someone or something. Myths were told orally in the days before written language and were passed down through generations.

Many myths include fantastic creatures with unusual features or special abilities.

The existence of these creatures is unproven although they remain popular in books and films to this day.

Myths

The HydraMany well-known mythical creatures come from ancient Greek or Roman mythology. One of these creatures was the Hydra.

The Hydra was a water monster who lived in the lake of Lerna. It was a terrifying, many-headed beast. Both the Hydra’s breath and blood were so venomous, it would instantly kill anyone who approached it.

Many adventurers had tried to destroy theHydra by cutting off one of its heads. However,every time they did, two heads would grow back in its place. Myths say that Herculeseventually killed the Hydra as one of his twelve labours

Cerberus was the three-headed dog who guarded the kingdom of Hades, god of the underworld. The underworld was the place where souls went after death.

In some accounts, he also had a serpent for a tail. Cerberus was said to be the son of a serpent monster and the brother of the Hydra.

Cerberus is mentioned in some of ancient Greece’s most well-known poems, ‘The Odyssey’ and ‘The Iliad’. Hercules was said to have captured Cerberus as one of his twelve labours although the beast was later safely returned to Hades.

Cerberus

A werewolf is a shape-shifting creature. Stories of werewolves are part of many cultures from ancient Greece to Scandinavia.

Usually, a werewolf exists in human form but at times transforms into a wolf-like beast. In some cultures, a werewolf can transform at any time. However in most stories, the transformation takes place at the time of a full moon.

In some stories, werewolves are born with the condition. In others, they become werewolves when they are bitten by another werewolf.

When a werewolf has transformed, it is said that they become bloodthirsty beasts, desperate to attack people. They are meant to be unaware of their usual human form.

Werewolves

LeprechaunA leprechaun is a mythical creature from Irish folklore. They are mischievous creatures who make and mend shoes and enjoy playing practical jokes on people.

It is said that if a person catches a leprechaun, they will be granted three wishes.

Associated with leprechauns is the myth of finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.

SphinxThe Sphinx is a mythical creature who features in stories from several cultures. In most stories, the Sphinx was a cruel creature who could not be trusted.

In ancient Greece, the Sphinx had the head of a woman, the body of a lion and the wings of an eagle. The Sphinx lived outside the Greek city of Thebes and would set travellers a riddle. If they failed to solve the riddle, she would eat them. She set the hero Oedipus the following riddle: ‘What has four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening?’

Can you solve the riddle?

The answer is a human - a baby crawls on all fours, walks on two legs as an adult and walks on two legs and a walking stick in old age.

CentaurA centaur is a creature from Greek mythology. It is a creature with the head and torso of a man, joined to the body and legs of a horse.

It is thought that the stories may have originated when an ancient culture saw people riding on horseback for the first time and didn’t understand what they were seeing.

Centaurs are also present in popular culture including, ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’, ‘Harry Potter’ and the ‘Percy Jackson’ series.

BasiliskA basilisk is a serpent who could kill with a single glance or a gust from its venomous breath. A basilisk is said to be the king of snakes.

Basilisks were part of folklore from many different European cultures. In the stories, basilisks could be killed in many ways, including from the tears of a phoenix, looking at its reflection in a mirror or hearing the crow of a rooster.

Basilisks can be found in many well-known poems and films including ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’.

Think About It1. Why do you think people told stories about mythical creatures?2. Do you think people used to believe the stories?3. Which of these mythical creatures is your favourite and why?4. A centaur is half human and half horse. If you could invent a

mythical creature that was a cross between two real species, what would you choose?

5. If you caught a leprechaun, what three wishes would you make?

Discuss or write down the answers to these questions

Design your own Greek monster

It could look like a beautiful human or your monster could look terrible, just like the things they do. They might have multiple heads or lots of arms. They could live in a cave, isolated from people, or they could roam the streets of ancient Greece, causing chaos wherever they go. Does your creature enjoy doing terrible things or do they wish they could change?Draw your monster and add labels to explain more.

Challenge!Can you write a description of your monster? Remember to use a wide vocabulary and include lots of descriptive language.